French President Emmanuel Macron has committed to addressing France’s increasing infertility problem, considering it a crucial step in rejuvenating the nation’s sluggish birth rate

Characterizing infertility as “the taboo of the century,” Macron pledged to take action during a televised press conference this week. With over three million affected individuals, infertility is a major public health concern that has long been overlooked.

This commitment follows France’s recording of its lowest annual birth rate since World War II in 2023, experiencing a significant 6.6 percent drop from the previous year.

Despite France’s historical pride in maintaining a comparatively high birth rate, recent trends challenge its position as Europe’s leading nation in childbirth, emphasizing a growing fertility problem. A 2022 government-commissioned report revealed that up to one in four French couples attempting natural conception for over a year face infertility, affecting approximately 3.3 million people.

One of those struggling is Virginie Rio, the president and co-founder of the advocacy group Collectif Bamp!, which advocates better treatment for infertility. Rio struggled with infertility and sought assistance through Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP). She highlighted the challenges arising from a lack of understanding and compassion from doctors.

“I was told that women had psychological problems, and that I needed to relax more,” she said, pointing to sexist prejudice surrounding the issue of infertility. “The discourse makes women feel very guilty. They’re made to feel as if it’s their fault that they can’t have children.”

The pervasive sexist prejudices surrounding infertility contribute to feelings of guilt among women facing fertility issues

Studies emphasizing a woman’s age as a key factor in conception often lead to guilt, overlooking the broader context. Élise de La Rochebrochard, a researcher at the French Institute for Demographic Studies (INED), challenges the stigma and reinforces that infertility is not solely a woman’s responsibility; it is an issue for men as well.

As women delay childbearing for various reasons, societal shifts, access to contraceptives, and professional pursuits contribute to delayed attempts at parenthood. Unfortunately, delayed seeking of help for infertility exacerbates the challenges.

Medical conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and sperm production disorders contribute to rising infertility rates. Researchers are working to identify the underlying factors of infertility, emphasizing the importance of genetics in improving treatments.

However, experts assert that infertility has not been taken seriously enough in France. Advocacy groups hope that Macron’s commitments will lead to meaningful action. While infertility is considered a taboo, the experts caution that it is not the only reproductive health issue difficult to discuss in society, citing menstruation and abortion as other neglected topics.